Cigar box attachment



July 6, 1943. E. w. LlLlENFlELD CIGAR BOX ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l & age/16 y 1943- E. w. LlLlENFlELD 2,323,820

CIGAR BOX ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 6, 1943 CIGAR BOX ATTACHMENT Eugene W. Lilienfield, Chicago, IlL, assignor to Jose Escalante & Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 5, 1942, Serial No. 425,622

1 Claim.

The present invention relates generally to attachments for cigar boxes. More particularly the invention relates to that type of cigar box attachment which is employed in connection with merchandising of the cigars in the box, is primarily adapted for use when the box of cigars is placed or displayed on top of a sales counter or case, and comprises a housing for holding the cover of the box in an open position and a hinged transparent lid for covering the top of the box while at the same time permitting a prospective purchaser to inspect or View the cigars in the box.

One object of the invention is to provide a cigar box attachment of this type which is an improvement upon, and has certain inherent advantages over, previously designed attachments of the same general character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cigar box attachment which comprises in addition to the cover-holding housing, a hinged lid and in addition a U-shaped frame which is rigidly connected to the bottom portions of the sides of the housing, receives slidably the upper margins of the front and side walls of the box and serves as a medium for supporting the hinged li when the latter is in its closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cigar box attachment of the type and character under consideration which includes a novel hinge connection for the transparent lid:

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cigar box attachment which is simple in design and construction and may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost and also quickly and readily assembled with respect to the box.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present cigar box attachment will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined. by the claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front perspective showing an attachment embodying the invention in assembled relation with a cigar box;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective of the attachment and box;

Figure 3 1s a front perspective of the attachment, parts being broken away for purposes of illustration; and

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section of the attachment and box.

The attachment which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed primarily for use in connection with a cigar box B and is employed when the box is displayed or placed on top of a sales counter or case in connection with merchandising of the cigars in the box. As its main or principal parts the attachment comprises a frame 5, a housing 6, a lid 1, a humidifier 8 and an easel 9. The cigar box B is of standard or conventional construction and consists of a bottom wall I), a front wall 17 a rear Wall 17 a pair of side walls b and a hinged cover D The cover and walls of the box are formed of wood Or any other comparatively stiff material. The front, rear and side walls of the box are joined to, and extend upwardly from, the margins of the box bottom Wall b and together with the bottom wall form a compartment for a group of cigars. The cover b of the box is hinged to the upper margin of the rear wall I) so that it may be moved back and forth between a closed position wherein it overlies the cigars and the box and an open position wherein it extends upwards and rearwards with respect to the box rear wall 12 The attachment is essentially of unitary design or character and serves, when in assembled relation with the box as hereinafter described, to hold the cover of the box in its open position and to maintain the box in an upwardly tilted or angular position with respect to the sales counter or case on which the box is positioned or displayed.

The frame 5 of the attachment is U-shaped and for practical purposes is formed of sheet metal. It is adapted to rest upon, and to receive slidably, the upper margins of the front and side Walls of the box B and consists of a front strip l0 and a pair of side strips ll. The front strip of the frame is the same in length as the front wall D of the box and is adapted when the frame is in assembled relation with the box to fit across the outer face of the upper margin of the box front wall b It serves to space apart the side strips I I and embodies an integral inwardly extending flange I 2 and a downturned flange [3 along its upper edge. These two flanges are shaped and adapted to hook onto the upper marginal portion of the front wall b as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings and serve to limit or restrict downward displacement of the front strip I relatively to the front wall of the box when the attachment is in place. The side strips II are formed integrally with, and project rearwardly from, the ends of the front strip I0 and are arranged in parallel relation. They are adapted to fit against the outer faces of the upper marginal portions of the side walls b of the box and embody integral inwardly extending flanges I4 and downturned flanges I5 along their upper edges. The inwardly extending flanges I3 extend at right angles to the frame side strips II and are adapted to rest upon the top or upper edges of the box side walls b in order to limit downward displacement of the side strips I I with respect to said side walls. The downturned flanges I5 are adapted to lap the inner faces of the upper margins of the side Walls b and coact with the side strips II to hold the frame 5 against lateral displacement with respect to the box. The rear ends of the side strips II of the frame 5 are in the form of extensions It which project rearwardly of the back wall b of the cigar box and have no flanges. In assembling the frame 5 with respect to the box B the frame is first manipulated directly above the box and then is lowered or shifted downwards until the front and side strips I0 and l! are in telescopic relation with the upper margins of the front and side walls of the box. During downward shift of the frame the inwardly extending flanges I2 and I4 are brought into abutment with the top or upper edges of the front and side walls of the box. To remove the attachment it is only necessary to raise the frame 5 with respect to the box.

The housing 5 serves as an enclosure for the cover b of the box and operates when the attachment is in place to maintain the cover in its open position. the U-shaped frame 5 and comprises a top IT, a pair of sides I8, a back i9, and a glass front 20. The top, sides and back of the housing are preferably in the form of a one-piece sheet metal stamping. The top H has an integral downwardly extending right angle flange 2I along the front margin thereof and the sides I8 have integral inwardly extending right angle flanges 22 along their front edges or margins. The sides it are upwardly tapered or wedge shaped and are spaced apart a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the side strips II of the frame 5. The front 20 permits any printed matter, such as advertising, on the inner face of the box cover to be viewed or inspected when the cover is in place in the housing 6. The side and top margins of the glass front 20 flt against the inner or rear faces of the flanges 22 and 2|. A U-shaped strip 23 surrounds the lower margin of the glass front 28 and serves to hold the front in place. It is preferably formed of sheet metal and extends between, and has its ends secured to, the lower ends of the inwardly extending flanges 22 of the housing sides I8. The lower ends of the sides I8 fit against the inner faces of the extensions I6 at the rear ends of the frame side strips I I and are welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the extensions so that the housing and frame are in fixed or rigid relation. Preferably the housing extends at an angle of approximately 135 with respect to the frame. The bottom portion of the frame is open so as to permit the cover b of the box B to be inserted into the housing in connection with assembly of the attachment and box. In assembling the attach- It is in fixed or rigid relation with r ment with respect to the box the box cover is first inserted into the open bottom of the housing and then the attachment is shifted downwards so as to bring the frame into place. During downward shift of the attachment the cover of the box slides upwards into the housing until it is completely surrounded or housed by the housing. A leaf spring 24 is disposed in the upper portion of the housing and has one end thereof welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the central portion of the housing back I9. The other end of the spring is arranged so that when the box cover b is in place in the housing it abuts against the upper end of the cover and urges the cover into abutting relation with the inner face of the glass front 20.

The lid I of the attachment is formed of glass or any other suitable transparent material. It is rectangular and corresponds in size to the frame 5. A hinge 25 is applied to the rear margin of the lid 1 and permits the lid to be swung back and forth between a closed position wherein it overlies the frame 5 and covers the cigars in the box B, and an open position wherein it fits against, and is supported by, the cover-holding or surrounding housing 6. This connection is in the form of a sheet metal U-shaped strip 26 which surrounds and is cemented to the rear margin of the lid. As shown in the drawings, the strip 26 is as long as the transparent lid 1 is wide and has integral rearwardly extending arms 21 at its ends. These arms are arranged in lapped relation with the lower ends of the housing sides I8 and are pivotally connected to the sides directly above the extensions I6 by means of rivets 28. When the lid is in its closed position the U-shaped strip 26 constituting the hinge connection 25 abuts against the U-shaped strip 23, as shown in Figure 4. A lift 29 in the form of a folded piece of metal is applied to the central portion of the front margin of the transparent lid and permits the lid to be readily grasped in connection with swinging thereof back and forth between its closed and open positions. When the lid is in its closed position the cigars in the box 13 may be inspected by a prospective purchaser while at the same time they are covered against the accumulation of dust thereon. When it is desired to remove the cigars from the box it is only necessary to grip the lift 29 and then swing the lid into its open position wherein it is supported by the housing 6. Because of the angle at which the housing extends with respect to the frame the lid will remain in its open position when shifted into such position. The arms 21 of the hinge connection 25 extend at right angles to the U-shaped strip 26 and are formed as integral parts of the latter, as hereinbefore described.

The humidifier 8 is removably mounted in the lower portion in the cover surrounding th housing 6 and serves as a medium for moistening the cigar in the box B when the transparent lid I is in its closed position. It is in the form of a unit and comprises a channel shaped shell 30 of sheet metal and a strip 3| of moisture absorbent material. The shell 30 comprises a fiat bottom which when the humidifier is in place, flts against the inner face of the lower marginal portion of the housing back I9, as shown in Figure 4. The shell also comprises an upper side and an inner side which extend forwardly from the margins of the bottom of the shell and have inturned flanges 32 for holding in place the strip 3| of absorbent material. The shell 30 is releas ably supported in the lower portion of the housing 6 by way of an upwardly extending right angle flange 33 and a pair of forwardly extending ears 34. The flange 33 is formed integrally with, and extends throughout the full length of, the bottom margin of the housing back 19. It serves as a ledge for supporting the lower side of the shell 30. As shown in Figure 4, the humidifier is less in height than the space or opening between the front edge of the flange 33 and the U-shaped strip 23 with the result that the humidifier may be readily removed from the housing when it is desired to moisten the strip 35. The ears 34 are formed by making semi-circular slits in the lower portion of the housing back [9 and then striking inwards the portion of the back which is defined by the slits. They overlie the upper side of the humidifier shell 30, as best shown in Figure 3, and coact with the forwardly extending flange 33 along the bottom margin of the housing back l9 releasably to hold the humidifier in place. The inturned flange 32 along the front margin of the upper side of the humidifier shell is spaced from the glass front 20 of the housing a distance corresponding approximately to the thickness of the cover I) of the cigar box B. As a result of this the humidifier serves when it is in place and the attachment is in assembled relation with the box, to maintain the lower portion of the cigar box cover in abutment with the lower portion of the glass front 20 of the housing 6. When the attachment is in use moisture from the humidifier seeps from the lower portion of the housing 6 around the lower corners of the cover I) of the cigar box and flows into the box where it serves to moisten and maintain in condition the cigars in the box. When the attachment is not in use and it is desired to replenish the moisture content of the strip 3| of the humidifier it is only necessary to withdraw the humidifier by shifting it out of engagement with the flange 33 and the ears 34. After moistening the strip the humidifier is inserted back in place by shifting it into the lower portion of the housing 6 and then manipulating it into interlocked relation with the aforementioned flange and ears.

The easel 9 is releasably connected to the back IQ of the housing 6 and serves during use of the attachment to hold the latter and the cigar box B in an upwardly tilted position, as shown in Figure 4. It consists of a wire bent into U-shaped form and is removably connected to the back of the housing by way of a channel shaped plate 35. This plate is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the central portion of the housing back and has rearwardly extending parallel flanges 36 along its bottom and top margins. These flanges extend at right angles to the plate and have pairs of aligned holes 31 for slidably receiving the upper ends of the U-shaped wire constituting the easel 9. The upper ends of the easel are bent rearwards at an angle of substantially 45 so as to form shoulders 33 for limiting sliding movement of the attaching plate 35 with respect to the easel. In assembling the attachment for use the upper angularly disposed ends of the easel wire are inserted through the holes 3! in the flanges 36 of the attaching plate 35 so as releasably to connect the easel to the housing. When the attachment is in assembled relation with a cigar box B and the assembly of attachment and box are placed upon a sales counter or case the easel 9 holds the assembly in an upwardly tilted position. In such position of the assembly the cigars in the box may be readily observed. When the attachment is in assembled relation with the box and the easel 9 is in place the humidifier 8, by holding the lower portion of the cigar box cover in abutment with the lower portion of the glass front 20 of the housing 6, prevents the rear portion of the cigar box from dropping downward out of proper position with respect to the frame 5.

The herein described cigar box attachment is essentially simple in design and construction and hence may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost. It effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and is characterized by the fact that it may be readily applied to, and removed from, a cigar box. The attachment is further characterized by the fact that it protects and serves to moisten the cigars in the box while at the same time permits of full inspection of the cigars and a reading of the printed matter on the cover of the box even though the lid l is in its closed position.

Whereas the attachment has been described as being particularly adapted for use in connection with a box of cigars it is to be understood that it may be applied to any other container of the cigar box type. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

As a new article of manufacture, an attachment designed for use in connection with a cover equipped cigar box or like container, and comprising an inwardly flanged, U-shaped frame shaped snugly to surround and rest on the upper margins of the front and side walls of the box and having fiangeless extensions at the rear ends of the side members thereof, a separately formed housing extending between the extensions and at an obtuse angle with respect to the frame, having a fixed back and the lower portions of the sides thereof fixedly connected to said extensions, and adapted to receive and house the cover of the box and hold it in an. open position, and a transparent lid adapted to swing back and forth between a closed position on the frame and an open position wherein it fits against and is supported by the front of the housing and having a hinge connection therefor consisting of a U- shaped strip extending around and along the rear margin of the lid, and a pair of right angle arms connected to, and extending rearwardly from, the ends of the strip and having their rear or outer ends in lapped relation with, and pivoted to, the bottom portions of the housing sides at points directly over the extensions.

EUGENE W. LILIENFIELD. 

